Obituary of Leona A. Sauter

Leona Alma Sauter Age 107 years, of Edgar peacefully passed away while surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday evening, October 5, 2016 at Country Terrace Assisted Living in Stratford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar with Rev. Thomas Huff officiating. Burial will take place in Edgar Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday at the church in Edgar from 9:00AM until time of services. The honor of pallbearer belongs to Bill Sauter, Daniel Sauter, David Sauter, Randy Sauter, Dawn Rowe and Sean Sauter. Leona was born on September 14, 1909 in Marathon City,the daughter of John and Lena (Sonnetag) Muelbech. After graduating from Marathon High School Leona was employed as a telephone operator and for Hotel Wausau. On July 30, 1930 Leona was married to Martin Sauter in Wausau. They farmed for a period of time and later owned and operated a tavern. Sadly, Martin passed away on July 11, 1968. With a dedicated hard work ethic, Leona continued to operate the tavern and at the age of 88 years old retired after selling the property to the State of Wisconsin for highway expansion. She resided in Edgar after that. Her hobbies included reading the newspaper, watching some television, dancing to waltzes and polkas and shooting a round or two of pool. Her children remember when Leona ran the tavern how many a lonely stranger was fed a good hot hardy meal because of their mother’s kindness and compassion. She was a long time member of Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church and of its PCCW. Survivors include her children: Sharon Marzynski of Wausau, Dale (Jeannie) Sauter of Edgar and James (Barb) Sauter of Helena, MT; her daughter-in-law Mary Lynn Sauter of Wausau; her sister Erla Bauman of TX; her grandchildren: Sharon Kroll, Kenneth Kroll, Dawn Rowe, Randy Sauter, Russell Sauter, Dan Sauter, David Sauter and Bill Sauter; 17 great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Martin, a son DuWayne Sauter and a daughter Shirley Koehler; son-in-law’s Joe Marzynski and Frank Koehler and siblings Loretta Krueger, Marvin Belgram, Eldora Seubert and James Belgram. If desired, memorials in Leona’s name are being accepted by her family to Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.